Kazakhstan v Wales live: Visitors cling on for narrow win in far-flung World Cup 2026 qualifier | OneFootball

(AP)

Wales beat Kazakhstan 1-0 in Astana on Thursday to move two points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying group J.

Craig Bellamy’s side dominated the early exchanges, with Sorba Thomas and Harry Wilson impressing as an energetic and composed Wales side imposed themselves on the game.

And their early dominance paid off mid-way into the first half when a great delivery from Wilson was headed on and parried to Kieffer Moore, who opened the scoring with a tap-in from six yards.

The visitors were unable to press home their advantage in the first half and Kazakhstan came out fighting in the second period, with Galymzahn Kenzhebek notably forcing a superb save from Karl Darlow.

Nevertheless, the Wales defence held firm throughout and while they were unable to find the net again, the visitors closed the door and take home the three points after a nervy ending.

Bellamy: 'It was hard work'

Wales boss Craig Bellamy is last to speak to BBC.

“It was hard work, really hard worK,” he says.

“We knew beforehand, Kazakhstan is a very hard place to come, it has been for British national teams and club sides in recent years. You could see why today.

“It wasn’t as clean as we would have liked, we had to dig in.

“The players have that ability to dig in. But there is more, there is more to come from them - we are a better team than we showed consistently today. How we started was really good but then the rhythm wasn’t quite there.

“I was so impressed with Dylan Lawlor. He was so good.

“We knew it would be hard with the squad withdrawals. Dylan is a big plus from this week… we have gained a player.

“I am not thinking about Belgium yet, we have Canada to play first.

“I want to see a better intensity, lots of the habits that have made us the team we are. But we will take the win,” he adds as he finishes.

Chris Wilson4 September 2025 19:00